North Bahr el-Ghazal governor denies presence of Darfur rebels
By Ngor Arol Garang
November 29, 2010 (ABYEI) — General Paul Malong Awan Anei, Governor of southern state Northern Bahr el Ghazal on Monday became one of the top members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, (SPLM) to deny presence of Darfur rebel in the area.
“There are no Darfur rebels that I know operating in Northern Bahr el-Ghazal. I have never seen them. Who said they are in Northern Bahr el-Ghazal should have told you where they are operating, said Governor Awan who was speaking to Sudan Tribune from Aweil town, capital of Northern Bahr el Ghazal.
The governor added that calm returned to the area. “The area is calm. The general security situation in the state is relatively calm. The issue which created panic and fear along the far north border areas of the state in Aweil North County was the recent aerial attacks there but security there has returned to normal,” said governor Awan.
On Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25, local officials and senior military officers from the southern Sudan army SPLA, said warplanes from the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) have attacked one of its bases. It further accused it of aiming derail the upcoming referendum on South Sudan independence.
Colonel Aguer panyang, an official spokesman for the southern army, last week told Sudan Tribune from Juba that two gunships from SAF carried out the attack, injuring four soldiers and two civilians. The senior military officer also added the northern army is trying to disrupt the referendum process.
But SAF spokesman, Al-Sawarmi Khaled denied the attack, saying the accusation is “absolutely not true.” He further said the SAF had not attacked anywhere near the north-south border.
Officials of northern Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) have accused the SPLM of supporting Darfur rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). In recent statements, senior NCP official Mandour Al-Mahdi said the alleged support is a “declaration of war” against the northern Sudan.
Tensions between Sudan’s Khartoum-based government and the semi-autonomous region have been rising as the south’s January 9 vote on independence draws near.
Disputes over outstanding issues like borders, voter registration, and oil revenue sharing have left planning for both referendums far behind schedule.
(ST)
john
North Bahr el-Ghazal governor denies presence of Darfur rebels
Well done governor Anei, but tell your people not to messup with jallaba/ ncp money this movement. According to rumors of ncp done deal of bribery southern Sudanese to back ncp for unity and some one disappeared out of thick air, many pundits suggested that this person come from Northern Barh El Ghazal. Thus, that is why SAF constantly attacking the area in persuaded of this person disappearing and pretended that they are after JEM. But that was not true they are after this person. So people be careful not to mess with ncp money. We get a lot of money ahead of us after independent.